Xena doesn’t look like this anymore! Lucy Lawless looks very different during Aussie TV appearance

She became a household name thanks to her role in Xena: Warrior Princess.

But Lucy Lawless looked unrecognisable as she made an appearance on Channel Nine’s Today Extra on Tuesday to discuss her new project.

The New Zealand born actress looked worlds away from Xena, which ran from 1995 to 2001, as she ditched the character’s striking dark tresses.

Lucy donned long dark blonde hair as she spoke about making her directorial debut with her new film Never Look Away – which is about the life of camerawoman Margaret Moth.

‘I feel great about it. I’ve made this film I want to entertain you. I’m not there to teach you a lesson about girl power or anything,’ she said.

‘That’s just sort of implicit in the piece. But to entertain you, because this is a wild ride through a highly unusual life.’

Xena: Warrior Princess ran for six series and has acquired a cult following after Xena was originally a recurring character in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.

Lucy was known for sporting metal-clad armoury and long leather boots as she got into character as the legendary warrior.

After Xena ended, Lucy went on to play Humanoid Cylon model Number Three D’Anna Biers in Battlestar Galactica and had a recurring role as Dine Lewis-Swanson in hit series Parks and Recreation.

She also played Lucretia in Spartacus: Blood and Sand and associated series.

Previously, Lucy spoke out about the life-changing impact of her breakthrough role.

During the shows early days she revealed she would receive ‘lots of fan letters’ as the character had become a ‘hero’ to people.

The New Zealand born actress looked worlds away from Xena: Warrior Princess, which ran from 1995 to 2001, as she ditched the character’s striking dark tresses 

She said in a previous interview: ‘There were lots of letters from people who wanted me to be Xena.’

‘If people choose to make the character you played into a hero of theirs, they can do that.

‘They’ll say, “you gave me courage to help me get out of an abusive relationship,” or “it helped me come out to my parents,” or “it helped me get off drugs and become a teacher”.’

‘I say, “well, you did that. I can’t take any credit for it. Congratulations to you”.’

Unlike today, Lucy was known for sporting metal-clad armoury and long leather boots as she got into character Xena (pictured 1995)